Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Apr 10: In a tragic incident, three teenage girls drowned while attempting to take selfies at a waterfall in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Thursday.

The mishap occurred in the Ananthagiri Hills, where four girls from Jambuvalasa village in Hukumpeta mandal had gone on an outing to the Mulagummi waterfall, a forested area near Visakhapatnam.

According to police, the girls were standing on slippery rocks near the falls and trying to take selfies when they lost balance and slipped into the water. None of them reportedly knew how to swim, which worsened the situation as they were pulled away by the strong current.

Locals rushed to the spot on hearing their cries and managed to rescue one of the girls, who was later shifted to a hospital. However, the other three — identified as Trisha (17), Ratnakumari (16), and Pavitra (16) — were swept away and could not be saved.

Police teams later recovered the bodies and registered a case. An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events.

Officials warned that though the waterfall may appear small, the terrain is highly slippery and currents can be deceptively strong, posing serious risks to visitors.

Authorities have urged tourists to exercise caution, avoid venturing too close to water bodies in remote areas, and refrain from taking selfies in hazardous conditions.